Pygmalion

How are the characters of Mrs. Pearce and Liza affected by the setting of Professor Higgins’ home?

• A. Mrs. Pearce feels entitled to give orders to Eliza.

• B. Mrs. Pearce feels intimidated and obedient to Professor Higgins.

• C. Eliza feels inspired to become a lady.

• D. Mrs. Pearce feels jealous of Professor Higgins’ wealth.

• E. Eliza feels the need to defend herself.

How does the idiom “hold your tongue” contribute to the tone of this exchange?

• It suggests Professor Higgins wants Liza to use her hand to grab her tongue, adding to the violent tone.

• It emphasizes that Professor Higgins wants Liza to be quiet when she will not stop talking, adding to the impatient tone.

• It emphasizes that Liza is hiding the money away from Professor Higgins in her mouth, adding to the suspenseful tone.

• It suggests Liza is sticking her tongue out at Professor Higgins, adding to the playful tone.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. Part A Which statement describes two themes in the passage?

• A. Speech is an indicator of social class; the wealthy treat others as playthings.

• B. People of different backgrounds cannot get along; learning a common language can aid communication.

• C. Differences of opinion are bound to happen; disagreements are caused by different ways of seeing things.

• D. Money is the key to happiness; those who are poor are always seeking wealth.

Which sentence from the passage supports the answer in Part A?

• A. “You know, Pickering, if you consider a shilling, not as a simple shilling, but as a percentage of this girl’s income, it works out as fully equivalent to sixty or seventy guineas from a millionaire.” (line 9)

• B. “I do hope, sir, you won’t encourage him to do anything foolish.” (line 33)

• C. “Yes: in six months—in three if she has a good ear and a quick tongue—I’ll take her anywhere and pass her off as anything.” (line 36)

• D. “It’s no use talking to her like that, Mr. Higgins: she doesn’t understand you. (line 24)

Which pair of events shows a shift in point of view that creates humor in the scene? Select two correct answers.

• Liza bargains with Professor Higgins for a price of one shilling per lesson.

• Liza thinks Professor Higgins is asking her to pay him 60 pounds and gets upset.

• Professor Higgins speaks sharply to Liza, telling her to hold her tongue.

• Professor Higgins asks Liza how much she can pay him for lessons.

• Professor Higgins begins an academic discussion with Pickering as if Liza were not there.

How does the playwright use contrasting points of view to help develop the story?

• Liza believes that changing her speech will elevate her station in life, while Higgins thinks that speech is less important than behavior.

• Pickering believes that Liza’s speech can be transformed, while Higgins does not. This develops a conflict between the men.

• Higgins sees Liza as a challenge to his teaching abilities, while Mrs. Pearce sees her as a girl who needs protection.

• Mrs. Pearce believes that people should be treated equally no matter their social status, while Higgins treats Liza as an inferior.

How does the setting of the play contribute to the plot in this excerpt?

• The setting of London highlights the possibilities that exist for Liza once she learns how to speak differently.

• The setting of Higgins’s house creates focus on the friendship between Higgins and Pickering.

• The setting of Higgins’s house emphasizes that Liza has entered a world that is very different from the one she knows.

• The setting of London makes clear the dangers that lie in wait for Liza if she does not change her life.

Which sentence from the passage supports the answer in Part A?

• “PICKERING: [very courteous] Won’t you sit down?” (line 3)

• “THE FLOWER GIRL: Ah—ah—ah—ow—ow—oo! [She stands, half rebellious, half bewildered.]” (line 2)

• “HIGGINS: Somebody is going to touch you, with a broomstick, if you don’t stop snivelling. Sit down.” (line 18)

• “LIZA: [haughtily] Who told you I only—” (line 12)

What does the word severely mean, as it is used in this line?

• painfully

• critically

• cruelly

• sternly